GPS Device Considerations

Posted by drussell52 on 3/27/2015 at 1:18 PM

Hello Technology Talk,
I hope you may be able to shed some knowledge on user-friendly GPS devices for totally blind persons. I know of the Treker Breeze, and also aware some iPhone apps are tailored to offer GPS accessibility.
1. If iPhone, what is the way to get around a flat panel screen?
2. If either using Treker Breeze or iPhone, are any available at discounted prices?
Thank you.
David Russell

Re: GPS Device Considerations

If you decide to use a GPS ap on the iPhone, here's a link to all the apple user manuals that should be useful for whichever device you choose. lhttps://support.apple.com/manuals/

I bought my first smart phone 2 years ago. It's an iPhone 4s. It had a bit of a learning curve, but I spent a couple days with it, and was able to use it just fine. Does help to spend some time with the manual, though. This link here is a small version of the manual, that is very good for somebody who just wants to learn the basics and get going. http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/voiceover/en/iph3e2...

using a stand alone GPAS or a GPS which runs on an accessible SmartPhone

Posted by jadwiga on 4/14/2015 at 12:05 AM

You bring up two separate learning opportunities, each with advantages and disadvantages.
The easiest fastest learning may come through using a stand alone GPS product.
You are correct in assuming that learning VoiceOver and a whole new operating system involves far more than just learning how to use a GPS.
You will need to learn basic VoiceOver things first, including learning the way blind people use VoiceOver along with gestures we use with flat screens.
Only then can you go on to the actual variety of GPS apps which are available to blind folks using the iPhone.
So, if all you want is to use a GPS, you may experience faster learning by getting a stand alone GPS.
Learning to use the iPhone does involve a learning curve. However, at the end you will have access to far more than just a GPS.
There are lots of resources for learning to use the iPhone and IOS8 including a lot of downloadable mp3 recordings of blind people demonstrating how to do various things on IOS 8 and the iPhone.
I will list some of them in a separate message so that the resources have their own subject line.
Perhaps some of this message will help you think through what you want to accomplish and how much energy, patience and study you want to put into your goal.

Re: GPS Device Considerations

Posted by drussell52 on 3/31/2015 at 10:21 AM

Hello Cruel Angel and others,
Yes, I did mean - means to use the GPS device if using a flat-panel screen on iPhone or other similar devices. I would hope the voice-over option would be significantly improved from older cell phone models offering similarly.
I did find some past articles in Access World, and note one device having been co-produced with Leaderdogs for the Blind called something like the Capten or Kapten.
The price then was about $300 per unit.
The state in which I reside has a Bureau of Blind Services which would be better named Bureau of Blind Disservices. Delivery is very slow and basically when the assigned counselor feels they have time to deliver them. We pay taxes for something that is relatively enigmatic!
Thank you for your reply.
David Russell

Re: GPS Device Considerations

Posted by leslie.bailiff on 3/30/2015 at 12:56 AM

I think it is important the think about how you are going to get information into the unit and also how you are going to get information out of the unit. So have you masters the IPhone yet?, are you looking for a device that does a number of tasks for you, or are you looking for a "stand alone" unit.
Another thing to consider is battery life, if you are using one unit the battery can be an issue.

Re: GPS Device Considerations

Posted by CruelAngel88 on 3/29/2015 at 8:56 PM

In Canada, the Trekker Breeze is not covered under ADP or any other government assistance.

When you say "get around a flat panel screen", do you mean how to actually use it? They usually turn on Voiceover and swipe across the screen or use other gestures to control it.

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